Portable sportsman&#39;s seat



J. R. GEORGE PORTABLE SPORTSMAN'S SEAT Oct. 9, 1962 Filed May 10, 1961 James Russel George 1N VE N TOR.

. BY W406 (ll/#800} EM Patented Oct. 9, 1962 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in spprtsmens seats especially for hunters, particularly bot? hunters, and has for its primary object to provide, in

i manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character on which the occupant may comfortably rest unobserved at an elevation above the usual line of vision of the hunted game and Where the chance of being scented is greatly reduced.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide an elevated sportsmans seat of the aforementioned character which is adapted to be expeditiously set up or erected for use wherever a convenient tree or other suitable support may be available.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sportsmans seat of the character described which is foldable and which may be readily transported.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide, in a portable sportsmans seat comprising a ladder including a pair of foldable sections, unique means for pivotally connecting said sections and locking same in open or extended position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a foldable, portable sportsmans seat which embodies novel means for securing the device to a convenient tree.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a foldable, portable sportsmans seat which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, showing a sportsmans seat constructed in accordance with the present invention erected and ready for use;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical section through the upper section of the device;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG- URE 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a ladder of structural magnesium or other suitable material which is designated generally by reference numeral 5. The ladder 5, which may also be of any suitable dimensions, is foldable, said ladder including pivotally connected upper and lower sections 6 and 7, respectively.

The lower ladder section 7 comprises rails 8 having rungs 9 mounted therebetween. Pivotally mounted for rocking adjustment on the lower end portions of the rails 8 are non-slip shoes or feet 10. A suitable carrying strap or handle 11 is provided at an intermediate point on one of the rails 8.

The upper ladder section 6 comprises rails 12 between the upper portions of which a footrest in the form of a step 13 is mounted. Below the step 13 the rails 12 have mounted therebetween rungs 14. The rails 8 lap the rails 12 and are hingedly connected thereto by pivotal connections 15.

Pivotally secured at 16 for vertical swinging movement on the upper end portions of the rails 12 is a metallic bracket or platform 17 which is supported in raised or operative position by foldable braces 18. The platform 17 includes depending marginal flanges 19. The free end portion of the platform 17 is formed to define an arcuate recess or pocket 20 for the reception of a convenient tree, as indicated at 21, against which the device is to be erected. A binder 22 firmly secures the platform 17 against the tree 21. The binder 22 includes a chain 23 having one end secured, as at 24, to one side of the platform 17. A fastener 25 adjustably and detachably connects the other end portion of the chain 23 to the other side of the platform 17. The connector 25 includes a channel bar 26 which is secured, as by rivets 27, on the depending flange 19 of the platform 17. Pivotally secured, as at 28 in one end portion of the channel bar 26 is a lever 29 of U-shaped cross-section provided on its free end with an operating handle 30. Pivotally secured at 31 in the lever 29 is an arcuate hook 32. The hook 32 is engageable in an appropriate link of the chain 23 for operatively connecting the lever 29 to said chain.

Mounted on the platform 17 is a swivel seat 33 which is apertured, as indicated at 34, for lightness. The seat 33 is secured to the platform 17 through the medium of a suitable swivel connection 35.

In the embodiment which has been illustrated, the connection 15 between the ladder sections 6 and 7 comprises a generally cup-shaped housing 36 which is mounted in an intermediate opening provided therefor in the rail 8. This opening is indicated at 37. Rotatably and slidably mounted in the housing 36 is a shaft or pin 38 which is operable in a relatively small intermediate opening 39 provided therefor in the rail 12. A head 40 is provided on the inner end of the pin or shaft 38 and a flange or washer 41 abuts said head. The opening 39 is counterbored, as at 42, to receive the washer 41 and the head 40. Mounted on the pin or shaft 38 at an intermediate point for operation in the housing 36 is a collar or washer 43. A coil spring 44 in the housing 36 is engaged with the washer or collar 43 for yieldingly urging the pin or shaft 38 inwardly. The pin or shaft 38 includes an enlarged outer end portion 45 providing a shoulder which abuts the housing 36. Fixed on the outer end of the pin or shaft 38 is a generally U-shaped lock or latch 46. The end portions or legs 47 of the latch 46 are slidable in openings 48 which are provided therefor in the rail 8. The end portions of the legs 47 of the latch 46 are slidably engageable in openings 49 which are provided therefor in the rail 12 and which are registerable with the openings 48. Thus, the ladder sections 6 and 7 are positively secured in unfolded or extended position. While but a single pivotal connection 15 has been described in detail, it will be understood that both sides of the ladder 5 are provided with such a connection.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, to erect the seat the ladder sections 6 and 7 are opened or unfolded and, when the openings 48 and 49 register, the end portions 47 of the latch 46 engage in said openings 49, being actuated by the spring 44. The platform 17 is then swung to raised position on the pivots 16 where said platform is secured by the braces 18. The platform 17 is then engaged with a convenient tree, as at 21, the pocket or recess 20 in the free end of said platform receiving said tree. The platform 17 is then firmly secured against the tree through the medium of the binder 22. The hunter then ascends the ladder 5 and occupies the swivel seat 33 with his feet resting on the step 13. When sitting thus at a substantial altitude the hunter will be above the ordinary line of vision of the game. Also, the chance of being scented will be materially reduced. Of course, to again fold the device for transporting or storing same, the foregoing procedure is substantially reversed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents maybe resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use on a sportsmans seat comprising a ladder including foldable sections comprising rails having lapped end portions having longitudinally spaced, registrable outer openings therein and further having aligned intermediate openings therein between said outer openings, common means for pivotally connecting the sections and releasably locking same in open position, said means comprising a generally U-shaped latch including end legs slidably engageable in the outer openings when same are in registry, a shaft on the bight portion of the latch rotatably and slidably mounted in the intermediate openings for pivotally connecting the lapped rails, a collar on an intermediate portion of said shaft operable in the intermediate openings, and a coil spring mounted under compression in one of the intermediate openings and engaged at one end with the collar for yieldingly engaging the latch in the outer openings.

2. For use on a sportsmans seat comprising a ladder including foldable sections comprising rails having lapped end portions having longitudinally spaced, registrable outer openings therein and further having aligned intermediate openings therein between said outer openings, and common means for pivotally connecting the sections and releasably locking same in open position, said means comprising a generally U-shaped latch including end legs slidably engageable in the outer openings when same are in registry, a shaft on the bight portion of the latch rotatably and slidably mounted in the intermediate openings for pivotally connecting the lapped rails, a collar on an intermediate portion of said shaft operable in the intermediateopenings, a coil spring mounted under compression in one of the intermediate openings and engaged at one end with the collar for yieldingly engaging the latch in the outer openings, and a generally cup-shaped, flanged housing in said one intermediate opening enclosing the coil spring and rotatably and slidably receiving the shaft therethrough and engaged by the other end of the coil spring, said housing slidably and rotatably receiving the collar.

3. For use on a sportsmans seat comprising a ladder including foldable sections comprising rails'having lapped end portions having longitudinally spaced, registrable outer openings therein and further having aligned intermediate openings therein between said outer openings, common means for pivotally connecting the sections and releasably locking same in open position, said means comprising a generally U-shaped latch including end legs slida bly engageable in the outer openings when same are in registry, a shaft on the bight portion of the latch rota. ably and slidably mounted in the intermediate openings for pivotally connecting the lapped rails, a collar on an intermediate portion of said shaft operable in the intermediate openings, a coil spring mounted under compression in one of the intermediate openings and engaged at one end with the collar for yieldingly engaging the latch in the outer openings, and a generally cup-shaped, flanged housing in said one intermediate opening enclosing the coil spring and rotatably and slidably receiving the shaft therethrough and engaged by the other end of the coil spring, said housing slidably and rotatably receiving the collar, said shaft including a stop shoulder adjacent to but spaced from the latch for abutting engagement with the housing.

4. The combination of claim 3, said shaft further including an operating head on its other end portion, the other of the intermediate openings being smaller than said one intermediate opening and having a counterbored end portion for receiving the head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

